Obituary of James F. Sherburne

James Frederic Sherburne, 92, of Tunkhannock was peacefully called home on Thursday October 22nd at the Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre. Born in the parsonage of the Methodist Episcopal Church in North Braddock, PA on October 30, 1927, he was the only child of the Reverend Charles Morton Sherburne and Nettie Laura Margaret Hoover, an elementary school teacher. The family soon moved to Rural Valley, PA in 1935, where Charles ministered at the United Methodist Church. Fred called Rural Valley home till moving to Tunkhannock, PA in 1972. Fred was a boy scout, a good swimmer, a high school basketball player and he played clarinet and saxophone in the school band. He served in the Air Force, stationed in Japan, during the Allied occupation in 1946. He then attended Wesleyan University, CT and graduated in 1950 as an English major. His career in sales of optical glass began at PPG in Pittsburgh, and continued with Schott Optical Glass in Pittston, PA in 1970. He married his lifelong love, Elsie Florence Sefton, on September 12, 1951, and they went to see the Ice Capades in Pittsburgh for their honeymoon. Fred 'n Elsie celebrated their 65th anniversary shortly before her death on Oct 23, 2016. They were devoted to their 3 children (the 3 P’s), 2 grandchildren, and 4 beloved great-grandchildren, happily attended 3 generations of band concerts, dance and piano recitals, athletic events, and school graduations. Fred always found time for service while working and raising his family. He was a volunteer fireman, an Armstrong County school board president who presented high school diplomas to all 3 of his children, and a faithful member of the United Methodist Church his entire life, serving variously as lay leader, Sunday school teacher and church trustee. He sang in the choir, helped with church dinners, drove members and friends to doctors appointments, visited residents of the Methodist manor and really enjoyed attending the Sunday "lunch bunch" outings and Wednesday morning Methodist men's breakfasts. In his later years, Fred worked for the Endless Mountains Water Company and then for his son's snack food distribution business as a part-time route salesman, finally retiring, reluctantly, at the age of 87. He loved Elsie's cooking, staying active, music, fireworks, family gatherings and vacations (Joe's Pond VT, Nova Scotia, Florida, Cape May, Yellowstone, Eagles Mere, and Strawberry Bank, NH which is home to the Sherburne House, built in 1695 by Captain John Sherburne). He will be fondly remembered for his perseverance, kindness, gentle spirit, big heart, great smile, and sense of humor. When anyone asked "how are you doing Fred?", his standard reply was "there's room for improvement!" Fred is survived by his children, Patrick and wife Evelyn of Towanda, PA, Pam Sherburne (Bob Palmer) of Live Oak, FL, Piper Sherburne (Richard Weinsteiger) of Landis Store, PA; grandchildren Aaron Sherburne and wife Lauren of Pequannock, NJ, and Abby Stroud of Towanda; great-grandchildren Jocelyn Stroud and Jason, Matthew, and Nicolas Sherburne. Family and friends are invited to attend Fred’s graveside service which will be held on Friday October 30, 2020 at 11:30 am at Sunnyside Cemetery, Tunkhannock with Pastor Jon Buxton presiding. A viewing will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 am at the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA. Masks and social distancing will be required at both locations. Those of you who may wish to attend Fred’s funeral service but are unable can join the family online for a livestreamed service at 11:30 am on Friday, October 30, 2020 at www.sheldonkukuchkafuneralhome.com under James F. Sherburne’s tribute page. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred's name to the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church, PO Box 447, Tunkhannock, PA 18657.